How do I register for my courses and exams?

By selecting a degree programme you are able to see the general content as well as the possible degree programme-specific content. You do not have to select a degree programme to see the Open University's instructions.

Besides registering for the academic year, you must submit a separate registration for all the courses and examinations that you wish to complete. As registration takes place in Sisu, you need a valid University of Helsinki user account for this purpose. Once you have added the course or examination that you wish to complete to your primary study plan, go to the Registration page in Sisu to register for it.

Information on course registration and registration periods is available in Sisu in the course brochures, on the Registration page, and on the course pages that you can search for on the Courses webpage. In case of any queries, you can always contact the course coordinator. The course coordinators are indicated on the course page or in the course brochure in Sisu.

See also instructions for registering for Language Centre courses and registering for Open university courses.

Course registration in Sisu
Instructions for exchange and JOO students and non-degree studies

Course registration in Sisu

  1. First add the course to your primary study plan in Sisu and then select the method of completion and teaching dates through the course brochure. If possible, it is recommended to select all completion methods and courses for the upcoming period in advance, and register for the courses all at once during the registration period. Please note, that you can select the completion methods and courses even through the Registration page. 
  2. From the course brochure, verify the compulsory requirements and registration period for your selected course. 
  3. When the registration period is open, go to the Registration page in Sisu to confirm your registration. 
  4. When you have confirmed you registration, you will receive a tentative status of your registration. If you do not meet some of the conditions listed above, for example, you have not registered for the academic year, do so and then register for the course in question.  If your registration is rejected, see the reason behind the Open registration details button.
  5. You will receive a final confirmation about being admitted to the course at the end of the registration period, when the registrations have been confirmed. For some courses, your registration might be confirmed automatically right after your registration.
  6. Check the status of your registration on the Registration page, in the Study Calendar or in My Profile on the registrations tab.

For further information and detailed instructions (with screen captures) for registration, see Registering for teaching and examinations in the Sisu instructions.

You can also see how to register for courses in Sisu on the Unitube recording Registering for teaching and exams in Sisu.

Once your registration has been approved, the course or examination will also be displayed on the Studies service Calendar page. Calendar displays your course timetables and links to course materials (if any) conveniently in one place.

Instructions for exchange and JOO students and non-degree studies

The universities have terminated the Flexible Study Right Agreement (JOO) effective from January 1, 2026. The final application round for JOO studies will be held in the spring semester of 2025. No new endorsements or approvals for JOO studies will be granted after July 31, 2025. All study rights granted before July 31, 2025, will remain valid until the end of the approved study period.

Before you can register for courses, you must create in Sisu a study plan for the studies for which you have been given the study right. Please note that you can register for courses only when your study right is valid. More information is available in the Sisu instructions: